Wilson operates open-door policy

James Shield
Sheffield United

SHEFFIELD United manager Danny Wilson has thrown open the dressing room door at Bramall Lane in an effort to promote greater harmony behind the scenes.

Although Wilson insisted the idea - which enables players not involved in games to support and encourage their colleagues - is “nothing out of the ordinary,” the former Northern Ireland international revealed it is also designed to ensure first-teamers of the future can cope with the pressure associated with representing one of League One’s biggest names.

Wilson said: “There’s no bar on anyone being in the dressing room.

“They can all come in so they feel a part of what’s going on.

“We don’t want people feeling isolated here because whatever we do, we do it as a group. That’s the kind of mentality we want and, on top of that, I also think it helps those lads coming through to know what to expect if they get a chance at this level.

“If they’ve been in and around the place before they’ll be more comfortable when they make the step up.”

Wilson inherited a squad whose spirit had been ravaged by relegation when he was appointed in May.

Stephen Quinn, who was the subject of a failed £250,000 bid by Blackpool on transfer deadline day, became the latest influential name to pay tribute to the effect his methods have had on morale following last weekend’s win over Colchester, a result which ensured United remained second in the table ahead of Saturday’s visit to Wycombe Wanderers.

But Wilson’s ‘all-inclusive’ policy first came to light when new signing Marcus Williams described how Nick Montgomery, who could return to action at Adams Park following injury, offered words of advice before his debut against Huddersfield.

“I knew a few of the lads here beforehand,” the full-back, who is scheduled to return to Reading next month, said. “It was great to see Monty, who I know from the area anyway, Chris Morgan and people like that all geeing us up before the match and at half-time.